Vasco da Gama Bridge Viewpoint

Category: Civil Architecture > Viewpoint

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Parque das Nações

Location

Located in Lisbon, in the modern area of Parque das Nações, the Vasco da Gama Bridge Viewpoint stands as a privileged spot for contemplation. It is situated on the eastern edge of the city, overlooking the waters of the Tagus River. Its position offers a unique perspective of the magnificent bridge that gives it its name and the riverside landscape that stretches for kilometers.

The Tagus Perspective

This viewpoint offers a 360-degree panoramic view over the extensive Tagus River and the surrounding urban area of Lisbon. From a significant height, visitors can appreciate the scale of the Vasco da Gama Bridge, one of Europe's longest, and how the river winds its way to the Atlantic. It is a place where the scale of nature and engineering meet, offering a dynamic setting as vessels glide over the water.

Legacy of Expo '98

The Vasco da Gama Bridge Viewpoint is part of an emblematic structure built for Expo '98, an event that celebrated 500 years since Vasco da Gama's discovery of the maritime route to India. The tower's design pays homage to this era of exploration, with its shape evoking the sail of a 16th-century caravel. At the top, where the viewpoint is located, the construction is inspired by the "crow's nest", the elevated observation point on old sailing ships, from where sailors sighted land and new horizons.

Architecture and Contemplation

Designed by architects Nick Jacobs and Leonor Janeiro, the structure housing the viewpoint is a remarkable example of contemporary engineering. Its height of 145 meters grants it the status of one of Portugal's highest observation points. Although initially an open-air space, the viewpoint is now enclosed by a transparent dome, ensuring a comfortable and comprehensive contemplation experience over the vastness of the Tagus estuary and the city of Lisbon.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt